Clear braces for teens are recommended when a dentist notices that your child is developing teeth or jaw alignment issues. The American Association of Orthodontists advises taking your child for orthodontic assessment once they reach the age of 7.
At this point, their smile should be fully developed and developing issues can be detected. Appliances like clear braces can be used to straighten a child’s teeth once their 12-year-old molars have erupted. At this stage, the child’s jaw and facial structures are still developing, making it easier to push their teeth in the right direction.
Metal braces have been the standard for teeth-straightening treatments, and they have been used for centuries. They are durable appliances that improve teeth alignment by pushing the wearer’s teeth into a better position.
Traditional metal braces are made up of metal brackets that are cemented to the patient’s teeth and metal wires that connect these brackets. Tightening the wires increases the force applied to the wearer’s teeth.
Metal braces remain the most effective way to straighten teeth, but they have poor aesthetics. Given how self-conscious teenagers can be, dentists often recommend subtler teeth-straightening treatments.
Clear braces for teeth are just like metal braces, with two main exceptions. The metal brackets are exchanged for clear or tooth-colored ones, and the metal wires are replaced with transparent ones. This gives the patient an oral appliance that can barely be noticed when they smile.
Aligner trays are another discreet way that a teenager can straighten their teeth, but these are removable devices that need to be worn for at least 20 hours a day. Keeping up with them over the course of treatment, which can be as long as two years, is a tall order for anyone, especially a teenager with a million things to do. Not wearing aligner trays as recommended diminishes their effectiveness.
The brackets used for clear braces are usually made with ceramics, so they are not as durable as the brackets that make up metal braces. They cannot be moved once cemented to the patient’s teeth, and wires connect the brackets on a dental arch to apply force on the patient’s teeth. If the teen has bite issues, rubber bands might be attached to connect brackets so the patient’s bottom teeth and lower jaw are pushed into the proper alignment.
Do you think that your teenager needs teeth-straightening treatments? Call or visit our Irving clinic to set up an appointment with our orthodontist.
Request an appointment here: https://valleyranchorthodontics.com or call Valley Ranch Orthodontics at (972) 830-9855 for an appointment in our Irving office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Getting braces is exciting — but it does come with a new question at every meal: what can I actually eat? The good news for Irving families is that the list of braces-friendly foods is long, and with a few smart swaps you will barely miss a beat. At Valley Ranch Orthodontics, Dr. Prasad and…
If you or your child is starting orthodontic treatment in Irving, one of the first questions is simple: which type of braces is best? The honest answer is that it depends on your smile, your goals, and your lifestyle — and today there are more options than ever. At Valley Ranch Orthodontics, Dr. Prasad helps…
Adult Invisalign in Irving TX is a clear aligner treatment for straightening teeth without metal braces. It provides removable, virtually transparent, medical-grade plastic trays that slide over teeth and move them with strategic pressure. Most adults wear aligner sets 20 to 22 hours per day and switch to a new set every 1 to 2…
Begin ortho treatment in summer to utilize more relaxed schedules for less painful adjustments and to set up oral care routines before school starts. Plan consultations and big early appointments during the June to August window to take advantage of more flexible hours and less conflict with school and activities. Take advantage of summer to…
Getting braces is exciting — but it does come with a new question at every meal: what can I actually eat? The good news for Irving families is that the list of braces-friendly foods is long, and with a few smart swaps you will barely miss a beat. At Valley Ranch Orthodontics, Dr. Prasad and…
If you or your child is starting orthodontic treatment in Irving, one of the first questions is simple: which type of braces is best? The honest answer is that it depends on your smile, your goals, and your lifestyle — and today there are more options than ever. At Valley Ranch Orthodontics, Dr. Prasad helps…